11th baby seized in adoption ring

Prosecutors in Mexico say they have seized an 11th child in the case of an apparent child-trafficking ring in the western city of Guadalajara that aimed to supply babies to Irish couples.

The Jalisco state prosecutor's office says the four-month-old girl was taken from her mother's home.

Prosecutors say at least 11 Irish couples are involved in the case.

It says 15 Irish citizens have been questioned by authorities and none of them face charges. All have returned to Ireland.

Police are looking for two lawyers who were handling the adoptions and have detained nine Mexicans in the case.

Child-snatcher loses appeal

A MAN who abducted his two-year-old nephew and took him to Egypt, where the little boy remains, has failed in an appeal against the severity of his six-year sentence.

The Court of Criminal Appeal has rejected the appeal brought by the 27-year-old man, who was found guilty of taking the child from the lawful control of his mother on July 28, 2009, at Dublin Airport.

The man was sentenced to six years by Judge Patrick McCartan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in July last year. Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan, presiding, said the court would give its reasons for refusing leave to appeal at a later date.

Two killed in Rio disaster

A multi-storey building collapsed in Rio De Janeiro last night with reports of at least two dead.

Thick layers of debris covered cars and motorcycles and a neighbouring building in the Brazil city sustained serious damage.

TV footage showed at least two people on its roof apparently awaiting help from firefighters. It was not clear how many people were injured.

Macca's wife quits NY job

Paul McCartney's new bride is stepping down from the board of the authority that runs New York City's public transit system.

Nancy Shevell married McCartney in October. She announced her resignation from the board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority yesterday.